The latest buzz on the news networks is that all of our "illegal" immigrants (and many of those supporting them) who think they have "divine rights" in these United States, are planning to have a massive, nationwide "March" on Monday, May 1, 2006.

Almost 300, 000 are expected to march right here in Chicago.

Many people (mostly immigrants, both legal and otherwise) are encouraging the Latinos (and other immigrants) to boycott work, school, and other obligations on Monday, so "their voices can be heard."

I am not a racist, and the farthest thing from ever being one. However:

If you want to have a peaceful demonstration....go ahead. And then, when you miss work, school, and your other obligations, then go peacefully to the Unemployment Office, and try to explain why you no longer have a job.

Someone sent the following to me, and I thought it was very good....Judge for yourself:________________________________

Dear Congressman:I'm about to plan a little trip with my family, and extended family, and I would like to ask you to assist me. I'm going to walk across the border from the U.S. into Mexico, and I need to make a few arrangements.I know you can help with this. I plan to skip all the legal stuff like visas, passports, immigration quotas and laws. I'm sure they handle those things the same way you do here. So, would you mind telling your buddy, President Vicente Fox, that I'm on my way over? Please let him know that I will be expecting the following: 1. Free medical care for my entire family. 2. English-speaking government bureaucrats for all services I might need, whether I use them or not. 3. All government forms need to be printed in English. 4. I want my kids to be taught by English-speaking teachers. 5. Schools need to include classes on American culture and history. 6. I want my kids to see the American flag flying on the top of the flag pole at their school with the Mexican flag flying further down. 7. Please plan to feed my kids at school for both breakfast and lunch. 8. I will need a local Mexican driver's license so I can get easy access to government services. 9. I do not plan to have any car insurance, and I won't make any effort to learn local traffic laws. 10. In case one of the Mexican police officers does not get the memo from Pres. Fox to leave me alone, please be sure that all police officers speak English. 11. I plan to fly the U.S. flag from my house top, put flag decals on my car, and have a gigantic celebration on July 4th. I do not want any complaints or negative comments from the locals. 12. I would also like to have a nice job without paying any taxes, and don't enforce any labor laws or tax laws. 13. Please tell all the people in the country to be extremely nice and never say a critical word about me, or about the strain I might place on the economy. I know this is an easy request because you already do all these things for all the people who come to the U.S. from Mexico. I am sure that Pres. Fox won't mind returning the favor if you ask him nicely. However, if he gives you any trouble, just invite him to go quail hunting with your V.P. Thank you so much for your kind help._________________________________________

For the first time in many years, I celebrated the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ in Huntsville, Alabama with friends and family.

My "sister" and "brother-in-law" (in quotations, only because we are not blood-related, but that doesn't matter after all these years) Marti and Anthony Stone invited me to worship with them at the First United Methodist Church of Huntsville. It was terrific. The Senior Pastor, Don Cross, preached an incredible message on the "Mysterious Ways of God"--it was profound.

I had never worshipped among this congregation, even though I had heard of them for years, and was very well aware of their location.

After lunch, the "clan" gathered at the home of Jim and Jane Pearson (Marti's mom). These two wonderful people have been "parents" to me in many ways for more than 20+ years now. I grew up in a trailor about 1.5 miles from them. The Pearsons continue to be the epitome of class, grace, and what it means to be all-around great people.

The meal was marvelous (as always in Jane's kitchen). Everything I know about "class and style" I learned in the home of Jane Pearson. I can thank her for everything I have learned about dignity, and "doing it right."

Later that evening, I was blest to see my good friend Rod Stansky. Rod and I have a friendship history that stretches more than twenty years also. We became friends while students at Lee College (now Lee University...www.leeuniversity.edu), and have remained friends over the years. I have known his parents for many years. His precious mother (Frances) never forgets my birthday, or any other special occasion. I can always count on a card, or a gift from she and her husband, Bernard.

Rod and I found our way to a TGI-Fridays, where we had a great meal (I paid, of course), and some wonderful conversation. Rod is one of those people that I can pour my heart out to, regardless of the subject matter. He and I have discussed things that I would never--not in a million years--even breathe to anyone else.

Few people have had the profound and strategic impact on my life that Rod has had over our many years of friendship. His sense of humor, his graciousness, and his open-heart continues to endear him to me, and many others.

So Easter 2006 was indeed a great day for me. It was a day of "Resurrection" in more ways than one.

During my just completed vacation to Alabama, I had the priceless opportunity to reconnect with people who have meant a great deal to me over at least 3.5 decades.

Teresa Rollings (one of the five most important women in my life--then and now) was my High School Anatomy and Physiology teacher, as well as my Chemistry instructor. She won my heart in so many ways, and became that mentor, encourager, strengthener, and tremendous friend that EVERYONE needs when they are a confused high schooler. Now Tereasa is the High School Principal at Madison Academy in the Huntsville area. Here's a link to her:http://www.macademy.org/administration/hs-principal.php

Tereasa and I had a wonderful lunch at this place called "Covington's" over in the downtown district of Huntsville. It was just delightful. We had many laughs, and a few tears. Tereasa is my hero in so many ways. She always will be.

That evening, my great friends Anthony and Marti (my sort-of adopted sister) Stone treated me to dinner in the city, and I can't remember when I have enjoyed dinner and conversation more than I did that evening. I don't remember the name of the restaurant, but we did sit outside on the patio, and it was marvelous. The cheese plate was scrumptious, and the entrees were terrific. Our server...dont' remember his name either...was a delight, and the conversation with him was load-lifting.

For those of you who regularly "check my blog..." please forgive me for not writing a bit more frequently.

From April 13th through 23rd, I was not available to access my blog page, and create a new entry, detailing my "goings-on." So I'll try to recap some of the last ten days in this forum.

April 13th: Going back to DixieThanks to the wonderful generosity of a wonderful family member, I was able to get on a flight from Chicago-O'Hare International Airport (at "O-dark thirty") and fly nonstop to Huntsville, Alabama--my place of birth, rearing, and coming of puberty, and somewhat adulthood.

Most of my biological and extended family still live in North Alabama..

I must say that it was "hotter than blazes" in the Huntsville area--and I knew it immediately.

I was wearing a long-sleeved pull over, and some jeans.

The minute I walked out of the aircraft into the Huntsville airport, I started "clutching" my throat, because of the heat. It was almost 90 degrees that day!

The pollen was swirling all over the place. The gorgeous flowers (or as the South Georgians would say, "Gawjus flairs") were blooming, and decorating the area with their fabulous colors.

And my precious grandmother, who will soon be 84 years old, was delighted to see her oldest grandson.

I don't know all the details, but I do know that David is pretty devastated with all that has happened in the last 48 hours. I know that he has a strong relationship with Jesus Christ, and that God will be his comfort, when all other means are either exhausted or have failed.

David lives a very full life as it is. He is an accomplished author, an occasional public speaker, and an otherwise working man--like so many of us.

It seems that the "illegal immigrants" (also known as the "lawbreakers") in the United States are forcing the Federal, State, and Municipal government officials to finally pay attention to them and their plight.Don't get me wrong here, though. I am still very much against placating anyone who insists on coming to this country illegally and then demanding rights and privileges to which they are not entitled.

I wonder just how much my grocery bill would increase if we deported all the "illegal immigrants"--since many of them harvest the crops for meager wages?

I wonder just how my life would change without 11+ million illegal immigrants inhabiting this land undocumented?

One cannot help but notice all the "marches" and all the ballyhooing from every corner of the nation.

But one cannot help but notice also that the "end" does not justify the means....and particularly not where legal residence in this country is concerned.

I have a few suggestions for those who want to come here and be treated with all the rights and privileges thereof:

1) Learn the English language. Teach your children to speak the language.

2) Fly the AMERICAN FLAG. If you are not in love with this country, I want to personally invite you to go back to a country that you are in love with enough to fly their flag.

3) Learn the customs and courtesies of the United States. Teach them to your children, and enforce them rigorously.

4) Insist that anyone who employs you FOLLOW THE LAWS of this land. You will do yourself and every other American a huge favor.

For Sunday Morning worship: The Moody Church 1609 N LaSalle Street (at the tri-corner of Clark Street, North Avenue, and LaSalle Street). The website is: www.moodychurch.org

Senior Pastor, Dr Erwin Lutzer, and the saints at The Moody Church will give you a warm, hearty, and genuine welcome to be part of a historic congregation in the heart of the Windy City.

For a wonderful lunch:

The Signature Room on the 95th Floor of the John Hancock Building (North Michigan Avenue), the Buffet Lunch (Monday through Saturday) is about $18 and worth every penny of it. The fabulous view of the city alone is worth that price. And the food is scrumptious. And for really picky eaters, you can order from the menu.

And take the CTA buses and get a grand view of this spectacular city that I've called "home" now for almost six years.

About Me

I was born and raised in the Huntsville, Alabama area. I went to college in Cleveland, Tennessee, was in the United States Air Force for ten years, and then returned to Tennessee for graduate school.
After graduate school, I worked for a short while in Cleveland, and then had the opportunity to move to Chicago...and I did...I've never looked back...this is a wonderful city! My passion is to see people take the plunge and be "all they can possibly be" and then become even more....to spend their lives well, and to reap the rewards of "being fully alive." One of the great anecdotes is from a song I learned as a teenager, "Yesterday's gone, and tomorrow may never come...but we have this moment today." I want to be fully alive today!
Between my work and my local church involvement, I stay very busy--and that part will probably never change.

The Moody Church

About "SOMETHING TO CONSIDER"

As a freedom-loving Christ-follower, I want to offer you--my readers--the opportunity to consider some of the "stuff" that I feel is important.
Or at least it is on the day I post it.
Feel free to comment, agree, disagree, pray, or just read.
Blessings on you this day.